Electric switch



July 5, 1927. G. L. CRAGG ELECTRIC swmcn Filed Dec. 27, 1926 2 She0ts-She et 1 G. L. CRAGG ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Dec.

July 5,1927.

2'7. 1926 I fig @545 \%'g. 7

2 Sheets-Sheet '2 l0 Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

} 1,634,455.? PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. GBAGG, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR '10 HARRY A.; DOUGLAS, OI

. BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

' ELECTRIC swrrcrr.

Application filed December 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,158.

I My invention relates to electric current conducting winding elements and to circuit controlling switches in electrical association therewith.

The invention finds particular utility in.

connection with spark producing circuit systems employed for producing sparks in cylinders of internal combustion engines that are employed in the power plants of automobiles or other automotive vehicles. The

invention has for its general object the provision of an improved assembly of the winding elements, the cores of such elements, and the associated switches whereby the switches and the circuit. terminals thercat are guarded from unwarranted access and the combined structures are simplified and occupy less space than hitherto. I

In the preferred embodiment of the in vention, a switch controlling looking structure, desirably key operated, serves as a closure forthe space in which the switch is received, the key constituting one form of switch controlling handle that is upon the exterior of the winding element. The switch is preferably surrounded by or contained within the current conducting winding element which usually comprises the primary and secondary of an induction-oil in the case 30 of an ignition spark producing circuit. Such a winding element is usually provided with a magnetizable core which I preferably employ to position a portion of the switch. I preferably construct the core to receive the lock and switch, a portion of the core being thus abreast of the switch to economize space and further protect the switch. In other words, the switch and core have parts that are side by side in the same zone that is traversed 'by the axis of the winding elements, .for the pur 09:- stated.

The invention Wlll be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a 'perspective view of the struc-' ture shown in Fig. 1 with parts shown in section; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a number of associated parts in separated relation; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is one longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.; Fig. 7 is another longitudinal sectional view taken at right angles to the direction in which Fig. 5 is taken, the

core being shown in elevation; Fig. 8 is a. sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 5; Fig. 9

is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig.5;

and Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram suggestive of one use of the invention. The hollow current conducting element illustrated is inclusive of a generally cylindrical and tubular primary winding 1 and a generally cylindrical and tubular secondary winding 2 of a so-called induction coil. The 55 primary winding has one terminal grounded and has another terminal connected by a metallic binding screw3 with a metallic contact sleeve 4;, which is carried by and passes through a normally stationary insulating disc 5 that is coaxial with the windin element 1, 2 and surrounded thereby, sai contact sleeve being upon one side of the disc axis. Another metallic contact sleeve 7 is carried by said disc upon the opposite side of the disc axis, this contact sleeve receiving a conductor clamping metallic screw 8. The screws 3 and 8 are upon the rear face of the disc 5, the contact sleeves 4 and 7 passing through the disc to be engageable at its front face, and respectively by the adjacent contacts that-are formed upon the inner ends of the metallic spring barrels 9 and 10 which are mounted upon and electrically connected by the floating metallic bridging bar 11. Springs 14 in said spring barrels press the plungers 15, 16 forwardly against the contact actuating bar 17 that is formed of insulation, said spring barrelsbeing slidably received in recesses formed in bar 17, said plungers engaging the bottoms of said recesses. As will hereinafter ap ear, the contact actuating bar 17 is adapte to be turned by a key 18 that acts as a separable handle to bring the bridging bar 11 and the contacts thereon into and out of engagement with the contacts 4 and 7. The screw 8 connects the conductor 8' withthe contact 7, this conductor extending to the circuit breaker 19 which operates in a manner so well understood as to require no specific description. A conductor 20 extends from the circuit breaker to ground through the battery 21. The circuit breaker contacts are shunted by a condenser 22. The secondary winding 2 is grounded at one terminal and has its other terminal connected with the travelling contact member of a distributor 23 whose .waiting contacts are connected with the spark plugs 24 in the various cylinders of an in- 'erally continued, at one ternal combustion engine in a manner well understood. Other ignition circuits may be employed. The winding element 1, 2 is compactly wound, that is the turns thereof are so close together, that no substantial I spaces intervene between them whereby the hollow interior of the winding element is not accessible laterally therethrough.

The winding element 1, 2 is disposed about a central magnetizable core portion which is inclusive of a U-shaped part 25 and a stem 26 which terminates, at one end, atthe base of the U-shaped portion 25. The primary winding 1 is desirably disposed next to the core portion 25, 26 and the secondary winding 2 is disposed about the primary winding. The two windings l and 2 are desirably formed as a unit before they are assembled with and about the core, the core receiving bore of the winding unit being of step formation, one portion of the bore being smaller than the other and receiving the stem 26, the U-shaped core part 25 being received in the larger bore portion. The base of this U- shaped core part is desirably in engagement with the adjacent end of the larger portion of the winding element 1, 2 that surrounds the smaller bore portion. The major portion of the core part 25 is received in and surrounded by the winding element 1, 2 and receives the switching mechanism and contacts which are thus also received in and surrounded by the winding element which thus cooperates with the core to protect the switch and its contacts. The major part of the lock is received in the core portion 25 to be protected thereby and the inner portion of the lock is also surrounded by the wind- 1ng element to be protected thereby. The U-shaped core portion 25 is desirably latend of the winding element, as indicated at 27, these continuations extending radially outward from this core portion. The outeror rear end of the stem 26 is also provided with oppositely extending radial continuations 28. The outer ends of the core continuations 27 are magnetically connected with the outer ends of the core continuations 28 by means of the magnetic side members 29, the parts 27 and 28 being upon the exterior of and at the ends of the winding element 1, 2 and the parts 29 being also upon the exterior of said windin element and on opposite longitudinal sides thereof. Flux is induced by the primary winding in the U-shaped core portion 25 and its stem 26, the induced flux having two apparent magnetic circuits to which the stem 26 is common. The winding element 1, 2 being preferably formed and baked before it is assembled into the instrument, the core is desirably divided into two main parts with one of which the winding element is' fully assembled before these main parts are assembled. Any suitable fastening means may be employed for holding the two main core partsin assembly after the winding element has been associated therewith. I have illustrated rivets 30 for this purpose.

The contact carrying insulating disc 5 is formed with notches 31 which are in snug sliding fit with the sides of the U-shaped core portion 25, said disc being spring pressed against the base of this core portion by the springs 14. The screws 3 and 8 are so disposed upon the disc 5 on opposite sides of the disc axis as to be freely contained in the space between the outer face of the base of the U-shaped core portion 25 and the part of the winding element 1, 2 which has the smaller bore portion that contains the core stem 26. The insulating bar 17 that carries the metallic bridging bar 11 is adapted to be turned by the flattened and reduced inner end of the tumbler barrel 32 which enters the correspondingly shaped slot 32 in bar 17. Said tumbler barrel carries the tumblers 33 which may be operated by the suitably formed key 18. The lock structure is thus mainly received in the core portion 25 and partially within the winding element. In withdrawing the key, these tumblers are projected into locking position within the slots 34 formed in the stationary shell 35. The core, switch, winding element and lock thus have parts that are side by side in a Zone that is traversed by the axis of the winding element. When the key is inserted these. tumblers are withdrawn from these slots to unlocking position. When the key has been inserted, the insulating bar 17 and the metallic bridging bar 11 may be turned thereby in one direction in order to complete the primary circuit, the contacts 9 and 10 on said bridging bar then engaging and electrically connecting the contacts 4 and 7,

the production of sparks ensuing in orderly sequence at the spark plugs in the various engine cylinders and because of the distributor 23. When the engine is to be rendered inoperative, the rotary movement of the key is reversed to bring the bridging bar 11 out of circuit with the contacts 4 and 7 and when this bar is fully brought into its circuit opening position, the key is withdrawn to lock the ignition circuit open. It will be observed that the switching mechanism and the locking structure are disposed abreast of some of the core portions, the sides of the U-shaped core part 25, in this instance, to be protected by the core as well as the winding element and to reduce the overall length of the entire structure. The term abreast is used in the sense that the switching mechanism is in the same zone with a core portion rather than in tandem along the axis.

The shell 35 is clinched at its outer end into engagement with a metallic disc 36 which is located within a cap 37 and against the end or top wall of this cap through which the outer end of the tumbler barrel slightly extends to receive key 18. Riveting portions 38 formed upon the end wall of said cap may be em loyed. The rivet portions 38 are desirab y hollow and threaded.

to receive the screws 39 which clamp the top of the cap to the concealed or back side of the dash board 40. The skirt of the cap 37 is formed with channels 41' which receive the core parts 29 and cover the rivets 30,

rivets 42 securing said channels and core parts together, or the parts 29 and 41 may be welded or brazed together to ensure a strong union. The lock structure is thus held in proper relation to the switch and other parts. Drill resisting filler blocks 43 are disposed betweenthe bar 17 and disc 36 and receive the pressure of springs 14. These blocks are aligned with the contacts 9, 10, 4 and 7 so as to prevent'a drill from reaching said contacts. A drill passed through the winding element 1, 2 toward the switch and contacts contained within the winding element, as described, would render the apparatus inoperativen The outer end of the stem 26 and the portions 28 extending radially therefrom serve, essentially, to close I the outer end of the smaller bore' portion of the winding element. The core portion 26 snugly fills the portion of the bore of the coil that contains it so as to prevent the access of a tampering tool where this core portion is located.

It will be apparent that the overall dimensions of the locking structure, switching mechanism and the winding element are reduced as compared with prior art structures. With my structure, an unauthorized person can not readily close the ignition circuit without the aid of a suitable key, the switch contacts and the wire terminals connected therewith being so well guarded. The lock structure serves as a closure for the space Within the core and winding element that contains the switch and contacts to complete the housing of said switch and contacts. I I

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a current conducting winding element provided with a magnetizable U-shaped core portion that has a stem, said winding element having a bore of step formation in one part of which the U-shaped core portion is received and in the other part of which the core stem is received; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with and surrounded by said winding element and positioned in said U- ture in controlling relation to the switch. v

2. The combination with a current conducting winding element provided with amagnetizable U-shaped core portion that has a stem, said winding element having a bore of step formation in one part of which the U-shaped core portion is,received and in the other part of which the core stem is received; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and positioned in said U.-shaped core portion; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch.

3. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable U-shaped core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with" said winding element and received in the interior thereof and located within said core portion; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch.

4. The combination with a current con ducting winding element having a magnetizable- U-shaped core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said core portion; and a locking structure in controlling relationto the switch.

5. The combination with a current con ducting winding element having a magnetizable U-shaped core portion having a stem and a bore of step formation having the U- shaped core portion in one part and the core stem in the adjacent part; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said'winding element and positioned in said U-shaped core portion. and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element.

6. The combination with a current, conducting winding element having a magnetizable U-shaped core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in the interior thereof and located within said core portion and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element.

7 The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable U-shaped core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in 1 winding element and received in said core portion; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch.

10. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with) said winding element and received in said core portion and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element.

11. The combination with a'. compactly wound magnetizing current conducting winding element having a hollow interior and a magnetizable core portion in its said hollow interior; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said interior thereof, said core portion, winding element and switch having parts that are side by side in a zone that is traversed by the axis of the winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. 12. The combination with a compactly wound magnetizing current v conducting winding element having a hollow interior and a magnetizable core portion in its sa'id hollow interior; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said interior thereof, said core portion, winding element and switch having parts that are side by side in a 'zone that is traversed by the axis of the winding element, said switch having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element. a

13. The combination with a compactly wound magnetizing current conducting winding element having a hollow interior; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in the aforesaid hollow interior of the winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. 14:. The combination with a compactly wound magnetizing current conducting winding element having a: hollow interior;

of a circuit controlling switch in electricalassociation -with said winding element and receivedin the-aforesaid hollow interior of the winding element and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the wind ing element.

' 15 The combination with a current conduct-mg winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a contact carrier within said winding element and having a notched formation receiving said core portion, whereby the contact carrier is held from rotation; a second, contact carrier adapted to turn, said contact carriers having complemental contacts. brought into and out of engagement by the turning movement of the second contact carrier; and a locking structure having a turning member in turning relation to the aforesaid second contactcarrier. 7

16. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a contact carrier within said winding element and having a notched formation receiving said core portion, whereby the contact carrier is held from rotation; a second contact carrier adapted to turn, said contact carriers having complemental contacts brought into and out of engagement by the turning movement of the second contact carrier a locking structure having a-turning member in turning relation to the aforesaid second contact carrier; and filler blocks outwardly beyond said contact carriers and between which said 'keyoperated locking member is disposed.

17. The combination with a current conductingwinding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a contact carrier within said' winding element and having a vnotched formation receiving said core portion, whereby the contact carrier is held from rotation; a second contact carrier adapted to turn, said contact carriers having complemental-"contacts brought into and out of engagement by the turningmovement of the second contact carrier; and'an operating handle for the second contact carrier.

18. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said core portion and winding element and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element.

19. The combination with compactly Wound magnetizing current conducting winding element having a hollow interior and a magnetizable core portidn in its said hollow interior; of' a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said interior of said winding element and having a portion engaged by said core portion; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. I

20. The combination :with a compactly wound magnetizing current conducting winding element having a hollow interior and a magnetizable core portion in its-said hollow interior; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element and received in said interior of said winding element and having a portion engaged by said core portion and having an operating handle upon the exterior of the winding element.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

' GEORGE L. CRAGG. 

